Bhupinder Singh Hooda was questioned for alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Manesar.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda was questioned today by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana's Manesar and nearby areas in which farmers were said to be cheated to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore. The questioning took place for several hours at the Chandigarh office of the investigating agency.
A few days ago, Mr Hooda, who headed the government for 10 years till 2014, was quizzed by the agency in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of industrial plots in Panchkula.
The 400 acres of land in Manesar, Naurangpur and Gurgaon was allegedly bought between August 2004 and August 2007 by private builders at throwaway prices from farmers who were threatened with acquisition of their land by the government. Mr Hooda was the de facto chairman of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) during this period.
The CBI registered a case in September 2016 based on allegations that private builders in connivance with unknown public servants of the Haryana government had purchased the land. It was followed by CBI raids in Delhi, Gurgaon, Panchkula, Rohtak and Chandigarh, including Mr Hooda's residence and UPSC member Chattar Singh, who was former additional private secretary to the former chief minister.
It is alleged that initially, the Haryana government had issued a notification under the Land Acquisition Act for acquisition of land measuring about 912 acres for setting up an Industrial Model Township in Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula in Gurgaon.
After that, all the land had allegedly been grabbed from the land owners by private builders, the CBI had said after registration of the case.
It is also alleged that an order was also passed by the Department of Industries on August 24, 2007 releasing this land, which was in violation of the government policy, in favour of the builders, their companies and agents, instead of the original land owners.
He has also been accused of his alleged role in facilitating illegal land deals in the state including those involving Robert Vadra.
(With inputs from PTI)